The player also faces a decision on his international future. His heritage would allow him to play for Turkey or Serbia -- or even Kosovo should FIFA recognise the country as a footballing nation -- but it has appeared a straight choice between Belgium, the country of his birth, or his father’s homeland, Albania.

Januzaj’s father is said to have asked his son to delay a decision until he holds a starting place with a big club, and the player himself has so far refused to make a choice. He has not played for any of the international youth teams, even if he did train a couple of times with Belgium’s under-20 team.

Gianni De Biasi, the manager of the Albanian national team, said earlier that they view Januzaj as a great talent and that the Albanian FA were waiting for the right moment to talk to him and call him up for the national side.

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has said the same thing, adding that he did not expect his United teammate Marouane Fellaini to influence the decision.

As recently as June, though, it was thought that Januzaj would opt for Albania, with former Belgium youth coach Marc Van Geersom saying that the player had refused several call-ups because he preferred to play for Albania.

But Ilur Shulku, the Albanian FA’s secretary general, said in Kosovan newspaper Gazeta Express recently that Januzaj “doesn’t love Albania”, adding: “There is little chance of him playing for Albania. We haven’t talked to the player himself but talks with his family have revealed that he isn’t interested. The door isn’t closed but only a little glimmer of hope remains. Officially, though, he hasn’t made a choice yet.”